Cart

Self-Care Challenge (Day 69): Being a Tourist

On day 69 of my 366-day self-care challenge, I settled into the role of being a tourist.

Over the past week, I’ve fully embraced the persona of a tourist. With this being my first trip to Maui, I was especially excited to see how it compared to Kauai and the Big Island (the only other Hawaiian islands I’ve visited).

As tourists, we notice the smallest details, even some of the very things we overlook at home: The sunrise, the sunset, a gentle breeze, and other living things, like little orange-faced House Finches that greeted me each morning on the balcony as I enjoyed my coffee.

But some of the sights here were certainly unique.

Enormous Humpback whales emerged from the ocean and then vanished beneath the surface just as quickly. To give you some perspective, a single adult whale weighs about 70,000 pounds – roughly the equivalent of 58 African Bush elephants. Big, to say the least. It’s hard not to notice them when crowds of people gather at the shore, pointing toward the giant plumes of water spraying upward. Likewise, luaus are a popular for those who enjoy being entertained while learning about the island’s rich history and culture.

But traveling isn’t simply about moving from one place to another; it’s about taking in the intricate details of a place. Experiencing it fully. In that sense, being a tourist requires nothing more than a relaxed state of mind and a keen sense of curiosity. And honestly, you don’t even have to leave your backyard to do it. Observing your own familiar surroundings as if you were a visitor can create a similar experience. (Plus, it’s free.)

Want to read all 366 days of this challenge in a convenient eBook?

Ready to design a self-care practice that you love?

Stacy Fisher-Gunn

I’m the founder of Living Upp, a self-care planning and design company that teaches individuals and organizations how live up to their fullest potential using a unique 8-dimensional self-care system that I developed. I’m an author, speaker, and self-care designer with 18+ years of experience in the healthcare industry as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator.